Wave data from Q2 2025 reveals a cooling in the market following a high-performing Q1. Applications dropped significantly, placements declined, and job postings decreased slightly. However, job boards remained dominant, Education led job posting activity, and Manufacturing continued to attract the most candidate interest. While the initial surge in candidate activity has slowed, the market remains competitive in many sectors, with some industries still experiencing a high volume of applications per job.
Quarter Snapshot
- Jobs posted: -3%
- Applications: -27%
- Avg. applications per job: 43 (down by 1)
- Placements: -8%
- Most active day for jobs & applications: Tuesday
- Most jobs posted: Education (34%)
- Most applications: Manufacturing (22%)
- Most active job board: CV-Library (28%)
- Most applications via: Totaljobs (30%)
Jobs & applications by month
Candidate activity dropped notably in Q2 following a high-intensity Q1. Applications rose in April (+8%) and May (+6%), but fell sharply in June (-10%), resulting in an overall 27% quarterly decline. Job posting activity remained fairly consistent but edged downward through the quarter — April (-19%), May (-1%), and June (-8%).
Despite the decline, both jobs and applications remained above the 2024 average for much of the quarter, especially in April and May. The downturn in June likely contributed to the overall decline.
Jobs & applications by quarter
The quarterly view highlights the shift in activity. After applications surged by 38% in Q1 2025, growth slowed to just 1% in Q2. Job postings fell by 10% over the same period. While still healthier than the 2024 average, this flattening suggests a post-surge recalibration across the recruitment market.
The strong start to the year led to increased competition in several sectors, but a quieter June may indicate early summer seasonality or a wider slowdown in candidate engagement.
Jobs & applications by industry
Education once again dominated in job postings, accounting for 34% of all advertised roles. However, it was Manufacturing that attracted the most candidates, receiving 22% of all applications.
Other top-performing industries:
- Jobs posted: Health & Nursing (9%), Manufacturing (9%), IT & Internet (8%), Engineering & Utilities (8%)
- Applications received: Health & Nursing (13%), Engineering & Utilities (11%), Accountancy (7%), Education (7%)
This reveals ongoing disconnects between supply and demand in some sectors, particularly Education, where jobs are abundant but applications remain low.
Average applications per job by industry
While the overall average number of applications per job was 43 in Q2, certain industries significantly exceeded this figure. Travel, Leisure & Tourism led with an average of 135 applications per job, followed closely by Retail & Wholesale (132) and Catering & Hospitality (123).
The five industries with the highest average applications per job:
- Travel, Leisure & Tourism – 135
- Retail & Wholesale – 132
- Catering & Hospitality – 123
- Manufacturing – 121
- Insurance – 112
At the other end of the scale, Education remained the least competitive industry, with just 10 applications per job. Also in the bottom five: Not for Profit & Charities (11), Public Sector & Services (12), Graduate & Trainees (13), and Construction (16). These numbers suggest that some industries are struggling to attract applicants even when vacancies are high.
Jobs & applications by channel
Job boards continued to dominate recruitment activity in Q2:
- 85% of all jobs were posted to job boards
- 90% of all applications were received via job boards
Websites accounted for 15% of job posts and 9% of applications, while social media accounted for just 1% of both. However, social media proved efficient, generating 4 applications per job, outperforming websites, which averaged 3.
Leading performers included:
- Most jobs posted: CV-Library (28%)
- Most applications received: Totaljobs (30%)
These figures reinforce the central role job boards play in recruitment strategies, though there may be untapped potential in social media channels.
Candidate activity slowed in Q2, but job boards remained powerful, and many industries saw strong engagement. The data shows that competition varies dramatically by sector and that certain industries, such as Education, require more support to attract candidates. Recruiters should continue to diversify sourcing channels, monitor trends by industry, and adapt messaging to boost visibility where applications are low.
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